Saint Phillip Cocktail

“This is our riff on the Brandy Melba,” says Terry Raley of Holland House Bar and Refuge in Nashville. “It takes its name from the sack of St. Phillip Fort, which was a major victory in New Orleans for Union soldiers during the Civil War. We wanted to call it something that tied the Civil War era and New Orleans’ involvement in the war.”

Blend the blackberries. Place the blended berries in a saucepan with 3 cups of water, 1 teaspoon of gum arabic and the sugar over high heat until the sugar dissolves, stirring. Let cool for 20 minutes. Add brandy, stir to combine and strain through a chinois into a glass bottle. Refrigerate. Makes about 1.5 liters.